Comfort cushion



July 10,1928.

- 1,676,962 0. MURPHY COMFORT CUSHION Filed May 8, 1925 INVENTORATTdRNEY Patented July 10, 1928.

UNITED STA CHRISTENA MURPHY, J01 new YORK, N. Y.

COMFORT Application filed May 8,

This invention relates to improvements in comfort cushions, and hasparticular referonce to such cushions as may be used in conjunctionwithbed pans for invalids.

An important object of the invention is to provide a yieldable cushionfor use with bed pans, and of such form and proportions as tocomfortably support the lower portion of the back of aperson using thesame in a recliningposition.

Another object is to provide such a device which can be used in either areclining or a sitting posture, and which may be easily cleaned andmaintained in a sanitary condition.

Another: object is to provide such a device indetachable sectionswhereby to facilitate its use in various environments and condi tions,and to render it more readily portable.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the' followingdescription and the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferredembodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration, andwherein,

tional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2, and showing a cushionembodying the invention in association with a bed pan;

Figure 2 is a top planview of the device;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the cushion members, and

Figure 1 is a similar view of the other cushion member detached from thefirst cushion.

In carrying out the invention, a cushion is formed with a mainbodyportion 10 and an overhangingportion 11 at one edge thereof. Preferablythe portions 10 and 11 are separate and provided with means fordetachably securing them together, although they may, if desired, beformed integrally.

The main body portion 10 of the device illustrated in the drawings is acomplete cushion in itself having a bottom wall 12, top

wall 13, edge walls 14 and 15, and side walls 16, properly joinedtogether in any manner. known to those skilled in the art. The materialof which the cushion is formed mustbe yieldable and preferably of awaterproof character, and preferably sheet rubber is used for thispurpose. In order to vary the yieldability of the cushion 10, it ishollow, and one of its side walls 16 is fitted witha pneumatic checkvalve 17 by means of which the cushion may be inflated. as desired. Theinvention is not necessarilyrestricted to a Figure 1 is a verticallongitudinal sec- CUSHION. 1926. Serial No. 107,577.

inflated cushion since it might pneumatically in any suitable manner 1tdc be upholstered sired.

As shown in Figures 1 and 10 is adapted to be disposed bed pan 18,against the head end 19 of the pan. The wall 14 is slightly higher thanthe. pan, and the top wall 13 slopes downwardly to the wall 15, which isdisposed toward the head of a person using the device in a recliningposition, for example an invalid. A flap portion 21 is provided on theupper all 13 ad- 2, the cushion laterally of a 'acent to said hi hest ede 14:.Sttld flu aor- I b b tion defining a pocket 22 within which are apluralityoi? fastening elements 23, of any ordinary or preferred form.

The portion 11 of the bed pan cushion also preferably formed ofwaterproof material, preferably elastic, and is provided with a straightside edge-24: for disposition toward the edgewall 1 1 of the member 10,and having its opposite edge 25 concave, whereby the member will havethe-general'configuration of a crescent'witli enlarged end portions26.This member is also preferably hollow and fitted with a check valve 27similar to the valve 17. A pair of tongues 28 extend laterally from theside edge 24 and are adapted to be disposed within the pocket 22 of thecushion 10, and each tongue 28 be ing provided with a fastening element29 for detachable engagement with the elements 23 within the pocket.

lVhen the device is to be used by an invalid in av reclining position,the two portions 10 and 11 are attached together by means of thefasteners 23 and 29, and after being inflated to the desired degree, areput in place under the invalid, the portion 10 supporting the lowerportion of the invalids back, and the other portion 11 overlying the rim20 of the bed pan 18. When the cushion members are formed hollow andinflatable as described, the degree of inflation may be varied inaccordance with the weight, sensitivity, etc., of the person using it.obvious also that the device may be used in a sitting posture, in whichcase the cushion member 11 may be entirely detached from the portion 10,and used independently.

From the foregoing it will be evident that an improved comfort cushionhas been provi ded which will effectively and comfortably support thelower portion of the back'of an invalid when using a bed pan, thusovercomwith its edge wall 14 preferably It is ing the unpleasantness anddiscomfort incident to the use of such devices in the past. Theformation of the complete device from detachable sections renders itreadily port able and capable of being stored in a minimum space. lnrthernlore, by forming the parts of sheet rubber or some equally watcnproof material, the cushion may be maintained in a sanitary condition bywashing or sterilizing without injury to the same.

Oliiriously the invention is susceptible of modifications in the detailsof construction and arrangement ot parts, and the right is hereinreserved to make such changes as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

it comfort; cushion, for use with a bed pan, and including a pair ofcushion sections assembled together, one of said sections being thickerthan the other and adapted to be positioned laterally of a bed pan atthe upper edge thereof, and the other section bein adapted to overlie aportion of the rim of the bed pan.

2. A comfort cushion, for use with a bed pan, and including a pair ofcusl ion sections assembled together, one of said sections being thickerthan the other and adapted to be positioned laterally of a bed pan atthe upper edge thereof, and the other or thinner section beingsubstantially crescent shaped to overlie a portion of the rim of the bedpan, and being, formed with a sanitary cover.

3. In a device of the character described,

the combinatioi'r with a cushion adapted to support the lower region ofthe back of a person in reclining position. a substantially crescentshaped cushion of less thickness than the first cushion, said crescentshaped cushion being adapted to overlie portions of a bed pan pla'rdadjacent the first cnshioin and means for detachably connecting saidcushions together.

i. In a device of the character described, the combination, with acushion adapted to support the lower region of the back ol :1 person inreclining position, a substantially crescent shaped cushion of lessthickness than the first cushion, said crescent shaped cushion beingadapted to overlie portions of a bed pan placed adja ent the firstcushion, said cushions being formed of elastic material and bcinainflatable to any desired dc- ;rrec of resiliency, and means fordetachably conne ting said cushions together.

5. In a. device of the character described, the combination of a cushionhaving" a sloping upper surface, a pocket with a cover fiap formed onthe upper surface adjacent the highest edge thereof, and baringfastening elements within the pocket, at second cushion of lessthickness than the first mentioncd cushion and extending laterally fromthe highest edge of said sloping upper surface, said second cushionhaving fastening elements adapted to extend into the pocket forengagement with those in said pocket, and the opposite edge of thesecond cushion being inwardly curved substantially as set forth.

CHRISTENA MURPHY.

